Gay Russian Dolls at Sochi

UK advertising agency Mother London commissioned a set of matryoshka dolls to support LGBT rights in Russia in the build up to the Sochi Winter Olympics. British gay icons Elton John, Stephen Fry, George Michael, Graham Norton and Tom Daley are presented as a set of nesting dolls, a challenge to the recent anti-gay propaganda law passed in Russia. Sets were sent to both Kremlin in Moscow and the Russian Consulate in London. Seven sets were auctioned off in December in support of The Kaleidoscope Trust, a charity working to uphold LGBT rights around the world. Super limited edition sets were signed by Sir Elton, Stephen and Graham and made available at www.torussiawithlove.co.uk

Credits

Mother London creative Paddy Fraser says using an internationally recognized symbol of Russia is the perfect way to subvert the country’s views and policy on LGBT rights in Russia. “The decision on who to choose was hard,” says Fraser. “We finally decided to start with a British set and only gay men, rather than make it international and mixed. The ambition is to widen it later on and have a lesbian set, and a Winter Olympics athlete set.”

Once they decided to start with a British set, the candidates pretty much chose themselves. “Gay men the nation loves who are out and proud, it’s got to be Elton, George, Stephen and Graham,” says Fraser. “And of course finally, Tom Daley. Who was obviously quite a late entry. We thought we should celebrate a young gay man (and sportsman) coming out in such a proud and public way. Unfortunately Gok Wan lost his place to Tom!”

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